[font "Times New Roman"]Tyson Foods Boo Boo[/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]This information has absolutely NOTHING to do with the intent of this chat forum; however, I think it needs to be seen by as many people as possible. I have verified it on SNOPES ([/size][/#800000][/font][url "http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/tyson.asp"][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/tyson.asp[/size][/#800000][/font][/url][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]) and it is true. There is even a news release on the company website announcing the decision. I’m talking about the Tyson Foods corporation decision to do away with the Labor Day holiday at one of their plants in Arkansas in favor of a Muslim holiday in October. [mad] Tyson Foods says it has nothing to do with religion; rather it was a contract negotiation decision. Here is a link to the news release: [/size][/#800000][/font][url "http://www.tyson.com/Corporate/PressRoom/ViewArticle.aspx?id=3012"][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]http://www.tyson.com/Corporate/PressRoom/ViewArticle.aspx?id=3012[/size][/#800000][/font][/url][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4].[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Here is another link to a TV station in Nashville, TN (WSMV) that did an article on it: [/size][/#800000][/font][url "http://www.wsmv.com/news/17063986/detail.html"][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]http://www.wsmv.com/news/17063986/detail.html[/size][/#800000][/font][/url][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]. There is a survey poll on this page asking if you support the decision. As of this morning, 2076 respondents had voted – 97% were opposed to the decision to swap the holidays. [shocked][/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I’ve written and sent an email detailing my displeasure with Tyson Food’s decision to the contact person listed in the news release. I strongly urge you to do the same. [/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Before anybody starts bashing me, I AM NOT anti-Muslim. Muslims are as welcome as Baptists, Jews, Catholics, or Mormons to practice their beliefs in this great country of ours. However, I draw the line when it comes to FORCING others to join them in those beliefs and practices. Tyson Foods and their union just did that.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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Quote:[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I’m talking about the Tyson Foods corporation decision to do away with the Labor Day holiday at one of their plants in Arkansas in favor of a Muslim holiday in October. [mad] [/size][/#800000][/font]
Your characterization of what has occurred is incorrect. It was a Union demand. Your beef is with them. Tyson didn't "decide" to do this, they capitulated. There is a world of difference, and I am unsure why you didn't see that distinction.
And depending on which report you believe, the Somalis that requested this were, or were not, a majority voting bloc of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Stores Union.
If they were a majority, welcome to "majority rules" (also known as "democracy", believe it or not). If they were a minority, welcome to political correctness run amok, and shame on the Union for also capitulating.
This is not a case of big, bad, corporate America.
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i call rubbish! i myself am not anti-... well pretty much anti-anything. the only time i have been anti-religous was when i was being shot at, and there were only two of those guys.
anyway!...... i believe this could be a court case! i know its not church and state, but forcing a belief on someone... isent that illeagal at all??
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Quote:Your characterization of what has occurred is incorrect. It was a Union demand. Your beef is with them. Tyson didn't "decide" to do this, they capitulated. There is a world of difference, and I am unsure why you didn't see that distinction.
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[size 4][#800000]Sorry Toyguy, but you’re wrong. Yes, it was a union demand. However, I can not boycott a union as they don’t produce a product I can choose to use or not use.
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[size 4][#800000]And on the Tyson capitulation, again you are wrong. Tyson Foods had a choice whether you choose to believe that or not. They made a choice to accept the union demand. I truly hope it comes back to bite them in the rear and bite them hard.
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Quote:And depending on which report you believe, the Somalis that requested this were, or were not, a majority voting bloc of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Stores Union.
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[size 4][#800000]Why can’t I believe all the reports? I don’t care about the Somalis or whether they were or were not a majority voting bloc of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Stores Union. It’s not relevant. The relevant point here is the fact that they were allowed by Tyson Foods to FORCE their religious beliefs on others. And for doing that, Tyson Foods should pay a price. I think they will.
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[size 4][#800000]The Nashville, TN TV station WSMV is running a poll on whether this was a good move on the part of Tyson Foods. Out of over 2000 responses as of this morning, 97% said it was a bad move by Tyson Foods. Let me say that again, and please pay attention – 97% say it was a bad idea. How’s that for a majority?
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Quote:This is not a case of big, bad, corporate America.
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[#800000][size 4]You are absolutely correct; this is only about one corporation – Tyson Foods.[/size][/#800000]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]My bad; the plant is actually in Tennessee.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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Quote:[#800000][size 4][#000000][size 2]Sorry Toyguy, but you’re wrong. Yes, it was a union demand. However, I can not boycott a union as they don’t produce a product I can choose to use or not use.[/size][/#000000] [/size][/#800000]
Doesn't that mean you're targeting the "deep pocket", not the perpetrator?
Quote:[#000000]Why can’t I believe all the reports?[/#000000]
Because the reports are conflicting. One has the the Somalis as a majority, the other has them as a minority. It can't be both.
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[#000000] I don’t care about the Somalis or whether they were or were not a majority voting bloc of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Stores Union. It’s not relevant.[/#000000]
Actually, it's highly relevant. If they were a majority, it becomes clear why the demand was made. It's that pesky "majority rules" thing. To not care, as you state, allows you to base your reaction/opinion on something other than the math and/or facts.
The decision to honor this Muslim holiday is not something that I am comfortable with either, but a cost of democracy is the white guy not always getting what he wants.
And it's Muslims and Mexicans now; but it was Germans, Jews, the Irish and Italians in the great emigration of the early 1900's.
Get used to the
plight of the American WASP since the 1996 census; that's the last time that ethnic group was a majority in the good ole' US.
And if this kind of thing torques you (understandably), you better buy a big bottle of Excedrin; cuz just wait 10 years. The immigration policies of both (majority) political parties now, has serious consequence just a stones throw down the road. Like I wrote earlier, it's become politically incorrect to challenge the "we're all brothers" mentality. If it wasn't, Tom Tankredo would still be running for president.
But it's your right to boycott, and have at it, if you will.
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Quote:Doesn't that mean you're targeting the "deep pocket", not the perpetrator?
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]When will you understand that contract negotiations are a two sided event? The union is on one side and the company is on the other side. BOTH must agree on the individual points. The union wanted a change of holiday observance; Tyson Foods had the choice of agreeing or not agreeing with the change. They agreed. They are as much responsible for the change as the union. To use your words, the are as much a 'perpetrator' as the union.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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Because the reports are conflicting. One has the the Somalis as a majority, the other has them as a minority. It can't be both.
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I gave three links to use to check out this story. Nowhere in those three links does it state that the Somalis are in the majority. It does state that
Muslims are a majority at the plant and that of the 700 Muslims there approximately 250 are Somalis. Another statement says there are approximately 1,100 Somalis that live in the town where the plant is located. It was also stated that the 700 Muslims are primarily composed of 250 Somalis. Sorry, but I don't see any conflict in reports. Please be more precise about where the conflicting data is located.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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Actually, it's highly relevant. If they were a majority, it becomes clear why the demand was made. It's that pesky "majority rules" thing. To not care, as you state, allows you to base your reaction/opinion on something other than the math and/or facts
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]The Somalis were NOT a majority. The point is NOT relevant. There is NO math here. The facts in evidence are that the local union asked for a change in holidays and Tyson Foods gave them what they asked for during the contract negotiations. It is also a fact that Tyson Foods had the option (choice) of NOT giving them the change. Tyson Foods made the choice, not the union. Those are the facts. I don't like those facts and I disagree with the choice. I will express my displeasure by not buying Tyson Foods products and have told them as much. I hope that enough others will do the same such that Tyson Foods will suffer a significant profit loss as a consequence.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]I guess I'm done here. You obviously have different views of this travesty than I do. So be it. We shall agree to disagree and let it go at that.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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Everybody has their different view and that's cool, I'm not trying to rabble rouse here at all, but in my opinion I don't see a travesty here at all.
It looks like the majority of the workers at the plant are muslim and their union asked for a holiday that was more relivant to them and they got it, they probably had to give up something else during negotiaions to get it and they decided that it was important enough to give something up to get it. We celebrate plenty of "Christian" holidays. They didn't loose any PTO, its just on a different day. Nobody is forcing anyone to observe any particular religeous holiday any more than my company forces me and my co workers to give thanks on the third Thursday in November or celebrate the birth of Christ on the 25th of December.
My company has done away with the 24th of July as a paid holiday starting next year and replacing it with a floating holiday. I didn't think that my company had lost it's pride for the state, there was simply more demand for us to be open on that day and honestly a floating day that can always be a three day weekend, when I want, when there are fewer other people off sounded alright to me. Look at it from a fishermans perspective; would you rather have some random muslim holiday that no one else even knew was today or labor day when every jetskier, water skier, fisherman and bank tangler would be out in force.
Personally I would look down on Tyson foods much harshly if they hadn't given in to the union demands, if they had decided not to change the day off due simply to religeous beliefs and not paid any mind to the majority sentiment even though the minority vote coinsided with their own beliefs.
Honestly it doesn't matter what side of this debate you come down on, there are much larger corporate ( and non corporate) injustices in the world than this to get that reved up about. I hope you don't think I'm bashing on you, I just simply see it from a different angle than you and that's cool.
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Seems kind of ironic to me that a Union would get rid of a holiday that was created by the Federal Government because of the Unions.
The thing that really bugs me about this is the fact they changed a Traditional American Holiday for a Religous Holiday. Labor Day has been around since 1894 and it is one of the few holidays that is observed by just about everyone in our country. It is meant to celebrate the trials and tribulations of the working class men and women that made our country the best place in the world to live.
IMHO this is no different than if a Union outside of Utah had a majority of LDS membership and they wanted to celebrate the 24th of July and in return they would give up the 4th of July. Nobody would stand for that if it were to happen ,so I understand why many people are upset about the giving up on Labor Day.
If the Union wanted the Religous holiday off they should have fought to get an extra holiday off, rather than giving up an American Tradition to acheive their goal.
Once an American Tradition is given up we never get it back. Just look at the Pledge of Allegiance; we no longer can say it in Public Schools because someone may get offended because of the word God.
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wow. i think i'll just keep fishing.
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Amen, brother. I completely agree. I am a union pipefitter, no way, no how, would we ever agree to give up a federal holiday for a religious holiday. If the powers that be want a recognized religious holiday we stand in numbers and we would stand up for each other no matter what race, color, religion, etc. I have a hard time believing that a union would 'trade' holidays. I will look into this some more.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Wow, this is a tough crowd. I really didn’t expect the backlash I’ve gotten here and on other forums. It just shows the great diversity alive and well in this country. And that’s a good thing I think.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[size 4][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]I accomplished what I set out to do, and that was to inform as many folks as I reasonably could about this news item. I was incensed over the implications it held for me and vented my feelings along with the facts. For those that agree with my view I am greatful. For those that disagree, I hold no grudge. We are all free to determine what is right or wrong for ourselves. [/#800000][/font][/size]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Act on this, or not, according to your own beliefs and value system. I can ask no more. [
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I'm also a union member, United Steel Workers. I find it ironic that they gave up Labor Day. Why not swap it for Christmas or Easter? This makes me wonder how they got such a huge number of a specific minority in one location. Do they not have the same hiring standards as everyone else in the country. I do not hold Tyson solely responsible for this, it's just another symptom of our governments disinterest in preserving our heritage. I have always been proud that we are a nation of people that have taken in the poor of the world and given them a chance at something better. At what point do we slow it down so that we can preserve ourselves? Where will we go when this country is ruined? Who in the world would take us in?
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Umm I love Tyson Chicken Especially there Chicken Fried Steak ummm With Mash Taters and gravy & a couple of buttermilk Biscuits Yummy awwww...
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There is justice in the world! [
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]For all you naysayers, I offer the following press release from Tyson Foods which comes just 4 days after coming to light on the Internet. The public has spoken and Tyson Foods has seen the handwriting on the wall. I can only imagine what the torrent of mail was like to make them reverse themselves in only 4 days. I may even have to rethink buying their products. I will most certainly send them an email congratulating them for coming to their senses and doing the right thing.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Here is their release:[/size][/#800000][/font]
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Quote: [b][#cc0000][font "Verdana"]Labor Day Reinstated as Paid Holiday at Shelbyville, TN, Plant; Tyson Foods Requested Change from Union[/font][/#cc0000]
[#000000]Springdale, Arkansas – August 8, 2008 - Tyson Foods, Inc. announced today it has reached a new agreement with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), an American union, reinstating Labor Day as one of the designated paid holidays under the contract for covered employees in the Shelbyville, Tennessee, plant. [/#000000]
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[#000000]Tyson made this request on behalf of its Shelbyville plant employees, some of whom had expressed concern about the new contract provisions relative to paid holidays. In an effort to be responsive, Tyson asked the union to reopen the contract to address the holiday issue, and the union agreed to do so. The union membership voted overwhelmingly Thursday to reinstate Labor Day as one of the plant’s paid holidays, while keeping Eid al-Fitr as an additional paid holiday for this year only. This means that in 2008 only, Shelbyville employees will have nine paid holidays. [/#000000]
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[#000000]For the remainder of the five-year contract period, the eight paid holidays will include: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and a Personal Holiday, which could either be the employee’s birthday, Eid al-Fitr or another day requested and approved by their supervisor. [/#000000]
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[#000000]This issue concerns only the plant at Shelbyville, Tennessee. Labor Day has always been celebrated, and continues to be, at the other 118 Tyson plants across the country. [/#000000]
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[#000000]The Shelbyville complex employs approximately 1,200 people. Approximately 1,000 workers are covered by the RWDSU union agreement at that location.[/#000000]
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In other news, Tyson foods used to use carp from Utah Lake, purchased from the Loy family, in their fish sticks (before the high PCB levels were detected in them). Yummy fish sticks?
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I did find it a little ironic that they traded away a holiday celebrating the working man, but is sounds like they handled it fairly with the personal holiday that each employee can choose to use in their own way.
It's nice to see a thread with a little bit of differing of opinions run its course and not degrade to the point of it being locked. It would be nice to see a little more of that around here.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][quote fairwayphilly]It's nice to see a thread with a little bit of differing of opinions run its course and not degrade to the point of it being locked. It would be nice to see a little more of that around here.[/quote][/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Amen! May we all go in peace.[fishin][/size][/#800000][/font]
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